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Functional Morphology Of Rat Hands And Feet: Correlation With The Ability To Grip Tree Branches During Locomotion, Jessica E. Fonce, Andrew R. Lammers Sep 2013

Functional Morphology Of Rat Hands And Feet: Correlation With The Ability To Grip Tree Branches During Locomotion, Jessica E. Fonce, Andrew R. Lammers

Undergraduate Research Posters 2013

Anatomy and function are usually closely related. Since locomotion on tree branches is common among mammals, we expect to find that the anatomy of the hands and feet is well-suited toward gripping narrow, cylindrical, branch-like substrates. We hypothesize that the ability of rats to grip arboreal supports relies on musculature responsible for adducting the first digit (thumb and big toe) and opposing medial-most and lateral-most digits. We dissected the hands and feet of four rat cadavers. There is a substantial muscle that may be responsible for the flexion/adduction of the thumb in the hands. We also found lumbricals, and dorsal …


Kinetics Of Running On Arboreal Versus Terrestrial Substrates In Siberian Chipmunks, Eliza J. Dorsey Sep 2012

Kinetics Of Running On Arboreal Versus Terrestrial Substrates In Siberian Chipmunks, Eliza J. Dorsey

Undergraduate Research Posters 2012

Many mammals travel on both tree branches and flat ground in their natural habitat. Forelimbs were found to have the dominant role in braking on both substrates, while hindlimbs had the dominant role in propulsion on both substrates. However, the forelimb aided in propulsion more so than the hindlimbs contributed to braking on both substrates.


Functional Morphology Of Rat Hands And Feet: Correlation With The Ability To Grip Tree Branches During Locomotion, Jessica Elaine Fonce Sep 2012

Functional Morphology Of Rat Hands And Feet: Correlation With The Ability To Grip Tree Branches During Locomotion, Jessica Elaine Fonce

Undergraduate Research Posters 2012

Anatomy and function are usually closely related. Since locomotion on tree branches is common among mammals, we expect to find that the anatomy is well adapted for gripping narrow cylindrical branch-like substrates. Based on the anatomy alone, rats are built for locomotion across cylindrical branches as well as terrestrial substrates.